In an effort to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, Alberta RCMP detachments modified service-delivery at front counters and restricted access to public spaces within RCMP facilities, effective March 18.
“A number of changes have been put in place to protect the health of our employees and the public. These decisions were made to ensure that there were no impacts to essential services, keeping our communities safe,” said Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Alberta RCMP Commanding Officer.
“As Alberta's provincial police service, we have sound business continuity plans in place to ensure Albertans can continue to count on us every day, including during times of public health emergencies.”
To prioritize essential policing services and reduce unnecessary contact with personnel, detachments will suspend all non-critical front counter services. Fingerprinting for Criminal Record Checks will only be done in exceptional circumstances, according to Alberta RCMP, with non-urgent fingerprinting and Criminal Record Checks resuming at a later date.
Before proceeding to a police station, RCMP asks the public to phone the administrative line to verify which in-person services are no longer available, as each detachment is different. If assistance can be provided over the phone, an employee or officer will do so. If the request requires personal contact with an officer, police said, that decision will be made over the phone. Dial 911 only in an emergency.
“The decision to limit public contact in non-urgent situations was made to ensure the health of the public and our employees so that we are able sustain essential services across Alberta,” a March 18 release stated.
A March 17 email from Airdrie RCMP states the detachment has implemented options for the public to report and obtain services remotely, instead of coming into the office to do so. The detachment has also created a COVID-19 response team to focus on three areas – employee health, public health and operations.
According to the email, Airdrie RCMP is following all Alberta Health Services guidelines for employees returning from travel, or who are experiencing cold/flu symptoms.
"We have determined which staff members may have compromised immunity, underlying health issues or who have family at home with those issues and are taking extra care of them," the email states. "We are ensuring that all employees have proper personal protection equipment available [and that] supplies are being procured regularly, which include gloves, hand sanitizer, masks and cleaning supplies."
The RCMP is also adding extra protocols for the safe handling of prisoners, mandatory disinfecting of work stations and police cars and the closure of the detachment gym.
“The decision to limit public contact in non-urgent situations was made to ensure the health of the public and our employees so that we are able sustain essential services across Alberta,” a March 18 release stated.
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Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
